Meet the Puppies of 08

Mee the auto gang! We've got Bumper-light colored female, Mudflap-large black male, Fender-black, brown female, Sparkplug-smallest black female, Slick-black and white male and Lugnut-the chubby brown male.




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We love summer with dogs on the Maclaren! You won't find us sitting around inside!

Not a moment to spare! Summer on the Denali Highway is about getting out, having fun, accomodating & entertaining guests on their Alaskan vacation & making the very most of our short but wonderful summer season.

We're having a blast with our family of fur friends either walking/working/training dogs (aka playing with dogs) on the Maclaren River, hand raising puppies---> future Iditarod stars, river kayaking in the evening, mountain biking, tundra hiking, planting, yoga in the high country, building cabins.....and now preparing for baby! Whew baby! I'm already 5 months along (where does the time go?) and everyone keeps asking me "where is the baby?" I'm hardly showing I guess but to me I look down and it looks like I've got a small basketball growing...I seriously wonder where in the world the other 15-20lbs will go. Can I really grow that much more? It's amazing how nature takes care of things; how the changes are subtle but steady!

I'm working on our denalihighwaytours.com website this week before I take off for commerical fishing out of King Salmon/Naknek! Hard to leave the dogs--and home! Nesting instinct coming out? Hmmmm....Maybe! John flew out a few days ago to get our boat ready to rock and roll, Maudy and I will join him on Friday. I look forward to drifting this year-a new style of fishing for us both with greater opportunity. Fishing is addicting very much like running dogs--you have one very big focus & goal and when you're fishing or running dogs--that is your entire world ; it's simple and straightforward and you can be as successful as you want to be--the sky is the limit. I like that. There's no sitting still.

I have been traveling so much this summer (not complaining as it has been fun!)but look forward to some time at home this fall in September.

We have good help & they know their stuff. I'm not supposed to worry then, right??

Just got home from a 2 day trip in Valdez, wanted to treat our kennel help to some good times on the Sound before leaving them to work without boss for the month. Hiking off the road trails, visit and hike Worthington Glacier, Mike's Palace (great Italian food), and of course the greatest...Lu Lu Belle! When in Valdez I highly recommend you enjoy a cruise with our friends from the Lu Lu Belle on Prince William Sound. A trip you won't forget--I promise! Humpback whales, puffins, Killer whales, Stellar sea lions, Seals and more...

Come back to the journal later in the week to find more Iditarod notes from 08 race, updated pictures on this seasons litter of 6 and last years litter of 3- Obie, Jon Jon and Cinnebar as well as more Denali Highway news...Our new website www.denalighwaytours.com will have cabin pic's and more detailed info up soon. Hats Off to a great summer season!
ZD

A blog worth reading

Hey everyone, time is tight for writing these days as business is picking up, training staff is a full time job to run the cabins/kennel operation while I'm away and now I'm getting set to head out to the bay through July with John and our fishing operation. I hardly have time to sit between busy days filled with dogs, people, projects and now I've added prenatal yoga to my morning routine....and when I do have that moment for "sitting", I'm picking through books and working on a new memory book for this summer. There's always one million things to do! A musher friend who had run dogs in the past and has finished the Yukon Quest had sold her team and since has been traveling the world solo. I can't say I ever get jealous of people or what others have but in this case, I have to admit I am a little JEALOUS! Catherine is a great person and I am so happy for her-she's really living it up & having a super time. She's visiting some of the places I haven't yet been and look forward to going and some of the places she's been (Africa) I have been to and found deeply moving. Travel like this is so good for the soul and hats off to her for taking the time to share it with us! Catherine's blog is

travelblog.org/bloggers/cathmandu

I hope you check it out! more later:)
Zoya

Born to Robin & Storey June 1st--3 females, 3 males!

Robin & Storey both finished the Iditarod strong this year with a positive attitude, drive and self motivation. Both dogs are 3 1/2 and very solid. Some dogs love racing and these two carry that special gene. Robins mother and Storey's mother have been our top breeding females for 4 years straight. We're excited to raise another wonderful litter of future Iditarod dogs.

"Future Iditarod stars."

zd

Hiring

Looking for summer dog handler right away.

I'm looking to hire now through Aug.
If interested in working with dogs, you're good with people, enjoy the outdoors, have a valid drivers license and can meet for an interview before June 14th--email Zoya zdenure@yahoo.com or call the cell 907-347-9013

ZD